Azalina Othman Said insists BN’s state-level alliances remain distinct from the federal Unity Government despite internal calls to sever ties with PH.
PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional’s (BN) cooperation and understanding with other parties in state elections do not affect the basis of the Unity Government at the federal level, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The UMNO information chief said political cooperation at the state level should be viewed separately from the federal administration, as each state has its own political landscape, leadership and constitutional framework.
“States and the federal government are different because each state has its own constitution. They also have their own state leadership and Sultan or Ruler,” she told reporters after the monthly assembly with staff of the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) here.
Azalina was commenting on a statement by former UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who had urged BN to end its cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) at the federal level.
She stressed that BN would remain part of the Unity Government at the federal level, in line with the decision of the party’s top leadership.
“That has been stated in numerous media statements issued by my party’s leadership, as well as by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” she said.
